Returning letter winners on defense are Forster and Mandy Sailor, both juniors. Vying for playing time are freshmen Ali Gallus, Jocie Hohlen, and Jessica Dexheimer, and 8th-grader McKenna Wesloh.

In goal, all rookies, are senior Kim Scott and sophomores Jessica Edwards and Tiffany LaFontaine.

Most notable graduate is all-stater Jonna Curtis, whose 278 points (155 goals, 123 assists) are tops all-time for the Elks. She now plays Division I hockey at New Hampshire.

“We need to have all of our players chip in scoring goals,” said Heasley. “We are hoping that these young kids pick up our systems and adjust to varsity action sooner rather than later. Like every year, we are in a tough conference so these new and inexperienced players will get good competition right from the beginning.”

Heasley’s top assistant for several years, Dale Sager, left to take the head coaching job at Centennial. The staff this year includes Joel Wesloh, Kevin Esperum, and Andria Seline, the latter a new teacher in the district who played for Anoka.